Army challenges Vegas Golden Knights’ name, colors
The U.S. Army is challenging the Vegas Golden Knights’ name and color scheme in a filing with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
In the filing, the Army states the expansion NHL team “has chosen and used a similar black+gold/yellow+white color scheme on uniforms, marketing, advertisements and its hockey arena, mimicking the opposer’s colors and further adding to the likelihood of confusion of the public.”
The Golden Knights, who began play this season, are owned by U.S Military Academy graduate Bill Foley. The West Point alum was reportedly considering naming the team the Black Knights, the name used by the academy’s athletics teams, before choosing Golden Knights.
Army has used the Golden Knights name since 1969 in association with its parachute team.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had given anyone opposed to the NHL team’s trademark filing until late last year to file a complaint, but the Army received an extension until Wednesday, according to ESPN.
The team has until Feb. 19 to file a response to the appeal board.
“We strongly dispute the Army’s allegations that confusion is likely between the Army Golden Knights parachute team and the Vegas Golden Knights major-league hockey team,” the team said in a statement Thursday.
